Ticket Sales Limited in Cortina Amid Transport Concerns for Winter Olympics

Concerns regarding transport congestion have led to limited ticket sales for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Local organizers are dealing with substantial transport challenges, primarily due to delays in constructing a new cable car system.

Transport Challenges Ahead of the Winter Olympics

The Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation has implemented ticket sales restrictions for events in Cortina. The decision arises from the uncertainty surrounding the Apollonio-Socrepes gondola project, which is critical for transporting spectators to the Tofane Alpine Skiing center. Currently, this project is lagging behind schedule, with just over two months until the Games begin.

Key Dates and Events

The Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to February 22. During these dates, Cortina will host various events, including:

• Curling
• Bobsled
• Luge
• Skeleton

However, the anticipated number of spectators has been cut by 15%. Originally projected at 200,000, this reduction is due to transport limitations, as stated by Massimo Bortoluzzi, the provincial transport councillor.

Transport Solutions for Spectators

Cortina, known for its picturesque location in the Dolomites, lacks a rail station. Visitors primarily rely on roads, which can experience heavy congestion. Only vehicles with special permits will have access to certain areas during the Olympics, available to local residents, second-home owners, and service providers.

Fans will need to park their cars at designated areas and use shuttle buses to attend events. The new gondola system aims to mitigate congestion by providing direct access from the town center to the slopes.

Details of the Gondola Project

The gondola ropeway project consists of 10 pylons, three stations (valley, intermediate, and summit), and will feature 50 cabins, each seating 10 passengers. This system can transport up to 2,400 individuals per hour. Despite facing legal challenges and an extensive approval process, the project is expected to be operational by the end of December, with final adjustments to follow in January.

Franco Sovilla, a local business owner, expressed optimism regarding the gondola’s long-term impact on traffic management. He highlighted that traffic could become overwhelming without this essential transport link.

Simico, the state agency responsible for the Olympic infrastructure, has assured that progress will be made on schedule. Their commitment follows previous successful projects like the sliding center, which also faced initial delays.